Fluid discharge apparatus for laundry machines



Aug. 12, 1941- A. H. GERHARDT FLU ID DISCHARGE APPARATUS FOR LAUNDRYMACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1939 INVENTOR. find "2w H Gerhardt ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 12, 1941 FLUID DISCHARGE APPARATUS FOR LAUNDRY MACHINESAndrew H. Gerhardt, Chicago, 11]., assignor to Electric HouseholdUtilities Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of IllinoisApplication August 16, 1939, Serial No. 290,429'

7 Claims. (Cl. 248-79) This invention relates to improvements in fluiddischarge apparatus for use in connection with domestic washing machinesof the type having a pump and hose connections, by virtue of which thewashing fluid may be quickly withdrawn and discharged into a suitabledrain or container.

More particularly, the present invention is directed to a novel form ofattachment and mounting associated with the discharge end of a flexiblehose, which is attached to the pump; the attachment being such as topermit more convenient disposal of the hose in an out-of the-wayposition on the machine when not in use, and

which also lends itself for convenient handlingv by the attendant whendischarging the washing fluid from the machine.

I am aware of various constructions of devices the fluid discharge hosefor use in connection with washing machines. The construction of suchattachments as heretofore employed are, in some instances, relativelyexpensive; and others are rather impractical considering machines as nowconstructed. For example, one of the most widely used forms ofattachments includes a piece of flexible hose, one end of which isconnected to the pump and the other or free end is provided with a rigidmetal hook-shaped tubular discharge outlet fixture. Such a fixtureprovides suitable anchorage means for the free end of the hose when thefixture'is disposed over the edge of a stationary tub for dischargingthe washing fluid from the tub of the machine. Such forms of hoseattachments, however, have been found somewhat objectionableparticularly because the hose, when the machine is not in use, is bynecessity compelled to be drapped around the machine with the metal hookfixture anchored wherever convenient, and usually such fixtures arehooked over the marginal edge of the tub of the machine. In present-daywashing machine constructions, it is practically a prerequisite that thetub be finished in enamel or porcelain for purposes of appearance andfacility of cleansing, and obviously the placement of a metallichook-shaped end fixture of the hose on the marginal edges of such tubsoften results in checking or chipping of the enamel-coated surfaces.This condition is highly objectionable.

Moreover, such forms of hose attachments do not properly lend themselvesfor convenient anchorage to the machine and hence the hose is frequentlyknocked from its place of anchorage to the floor. For example, when thewashing machine is being operated, it is frequently found andattachments proposed for association with inconvenient to have the hookend portion disposed over the marginal edge of the tub because itprevents proper seating of the cover of the machine, and thusnecessitates an efiort to anchor the free end of the hose to some othersupport, such as, perhaps, the wringer post of the machine, or over theedge of a stationary tub. Due to such insecure anchorage of the hose onthe machine, it often is inadvertently dislodged and knocked on thefloor, which greatly detracts from the appearance of the machine onsales floors. Oneobject of this invention is to provide an inexpensive,simple, and improved form of hose attachment of the character indicatedby virtue of which the free end of said hose may be detachably securedto the exterior wall of the machine in a convenient, out-of-the-waylocation.

Another object is to provide an improved attachment of the characterindicated, having means for reinforcing a preformed hook at the free endof the flexible hose so as to reduce the tendency of opening of saidhook due to fluid pressure in the hose.

Other objects and advantages of this invention In the preferredembodiment of my invention,

I have shown in the drawing a washing ma chine of the type including abody structure composed of a tub "I, rigidly seated upon a supportingbase ll, said base being provided with a plurality of spaced-apartdepending legs l2 for supporting the tub in proper relation to thefloor. Suitably mounted within the base H is a fluid pump 14, ofconventional construction, which, it may be understood, is provided withthe usual connection, as by conduit 14 to the drain'of the tub ID forwithdrawing the washing fluid therefrom. The discharge end of the pumpI4 is connected by means of a coupling Hi to one end of a flexible hosel6, which is of adequate length to extend outwardly a substantial'distance beyond the lower marginal edge of the forc base. Said hosedesirably is of such length so as to permit the opposite or dischargeend thereof to be disposed at a substantial distance from the machine,such as for discharging the washing fluid into a stationary tub orcontainer. or-into a suitable drain.

The hose l6, which'is formed of flexible material, such as rubber, hasits discharge end pre-formed in the shape of a gooseneck or hook, asindicated at H; said hook portion, being relatively fixed and ofresilient material, serves to protect the upper marginal edge of theporcelain coated tub when the hose is hooked over said edge of the tub.It will be apparent that by forming the hook end of the hose of the sameflexible material that the body of the hose is formed of, results ineliminating noise incident to placement of the hooked end of the hose inposition on the edge of the tub, and reduces possibility of checking andchipping of the porcelain coated surface of the tub.

The novel attachment constituting the pres ent invention is such that amajor portionof the flexible hose adjacent the discharge Hid is renderedrelatively rigid by means of a reinbar 20 extending parallel an in closeproximity to the outside wall of the hose with respect to the outercurved surface of the hooked endportion ll' thereof, as seen in Fig. 1of the drawing. Said bar is firmly secured to said hose,

by means of a plurality of fingers 2|,- formed in pairs and secured tothe bar 20, and which serve to embrace the hose for holding it firmlyagainst said bar 20. Said pairs of fingers are formed from a singlepiece of metal stock, secured adjacent the middle of its length to saidbar 20, as by welding, It will be noted that the upper end of the bar 20is curved to conform to the contour of the outer curved surface of thehook portion i1, and'by virtue of the clamping fingers 2|, said body ofthe hose in contact with the bar 20 is reinforced and renderedrelatively rigid, and the hooked end portion of the hose is reinforcedso as to preclude excessive spreading of the extreme terminal ordischarge end thereof, such as may occur when fluid is passing throughthe hose under substantial pressure, I

Rigidly attached, as by welding, to the lower end of the bar 20 is ametallic band 23 formled to tightly surround the hose and-havingextensions cooperativeiy formed and secured to-' gether so as to producea hollow depending chine and'in nowise interferes with the proper tongueelement 24 disposed in spaced apart A a bracket 21 which, in turn, isrigidly attached to the base portion II by means of bolts 28. As may beseen in Fig. 2, said tongue is of substantial length so that when seatedin .the

socket 26, it provides adequate support for properly maintaining thereinforcing bar 20, together with the secured portion of the hose IS, ina relatively fixed upright position in close proximity to the wall ofthe body structure of the washing machine. It will be noted that theband 23 and tongue 24 are connected together by a web 23 which isadapted to seat upon the upper edge of the bracket 21. for limiting theprotrusion of the tongue 24 into the socket 26.

It will be apparent that by virtue of the construction described, asubstantial portion of the hose adjacent the discharge end is maintainedrelatively flxed or rigid so as to afford conveniposition thereof in anoutof-the-way location adjacent the body structure of the washingmachine when said hose is not in use. Such an arrangement eliminates thepossibility of inad vertent dislodgment of the hose from the marangementof parts without departing from the I do not, therefore,

spirit and scope thereof. wish to be understood as limiting thisinvention to the precise form herein disclosed, except as it may be solimited in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Fluid discharge apparatus for a washing machine of the type having abody structure including a tub and a base forsupporting said.

. tub, and a pump carried on the base for forcibly discharging fluidfrom the tub; said apparatus including a flexible hose adapted to beconnected at one end to the pump, means adapted for detachably securingan intermediate portion of said hose to the exterior of the supportingbase, and means connected to the securing means and extending toward thefree end of the hose for reinforcing and supporting said portion of thehose in upright position in close proximity to the exterior of the bodystructure, said reinforcing means comprising a relatively rigid barhaving a plurality of fingers at longitudinally spaced-points, formedfor embracing said hose portion for supporting it firmly against thebar.

2. Fluid discharge apparatus for a washing machine of the type having abody structure including a tub and a base for Suppo ting said tub, and apump carried on the base for forcibly discharging fluid from the tub;said apparatus including a flexible hose adapted to be connected at oneend to the pump, the other end terminating in a preformed gooseneckhook,

means adapted for detachably securing a porcluding a relatively rigidbar having a portion formed to conform to the conto i 1r of at leastaportion of said hook end of the hose, and means connected to the barand formed to firmly embrace said hose portion at a plurality oflongitudinally spaced-apart points.

3. Fluid discharge apparatus for a washing machine of the type having abody structure including a tub and a base for supporting said tub, and apump carried on the base for forcibly discharging fluid -from the tub;said apparatus including a flexible hose adapted to be connected at oneend to the pump, the other end terminating in a preformed gooseneckhook, means adapted for detachably securing a portion of the hoseadjacent said hook to the exterior of the supporting base. and meansconnected to the portion of the hose intermediate said securing meansand said hook for reinforcing and supporting said hose portion inupright position in close proximity to the exterior of the bodystructure, s aidreinforcing means including a relatively rigid barhaving a portion formed to conform to the contour of the outer surfaceof at least a portion of said hook endof the hose, and means connectedto the bar and formed to firmly embrace said hose portion at a pluralityof longitudinally spaced-apart points.

Fluid discharge apparatus for a washing machine of the type having abody structure including a tub and a base for supporting said tub, and apump carried on the base for forcibly discharging fluid from the tub;said apparatus including a flexible hose adapted to be connected at oneend to the pump, the other end terminating in a preformed gooseneckhook, means adapted for detachably securing a portion of the hoseadjacent said hook to the exterior of the supporting base, and meansconnected to the portion of thehose intermediate said securing means andsaid hook for reinforcing and supporting said hose portion in uprightposition in close proximity to the exterior of the body structure, saidreinforcing means including a relatively rigid bar connected at one endto said detachable securing means and the other end having a portionformed to conform to the contour of the outer surface of at leasta-portion of said hook end of the hose, and means connected to the barand formed to firmly embrace said hose portion at a plurality oflongitudinally spaced-apart points.

5. Fluid discharge apparatus for a washing machine of the type having abody structure including a tub and a base for supporting said tub, and apump carried on the base for forcibly discharging fluid from the tub;said apparatus including a flexible hose adapted to be connected at oneend to the pump, means adapted for detachably securing an intermediateportion of said hose to the exterior of the supporting base, and meansconnected to the securing means and extending toward the free e of thehose for reinforcing and supporting sa d portion of the hose in uprightposition in close proximity to the exterior of the body structure, saidreinforcing means comprising a relatively rigid bar having a pluralityof fingers at longitudinally spaced points, formed for embracing saidhose portion for supporting it firmly against the bar, said detachablesecuring means including a bracket on said supporting base formed toprovides. socket of polygonal cross-section, and a cooperating memberformed as a stamping, including a hollow tongue ofpolygonalcross-section for seating in said socket, and a looped bodysurround- ;ing said hose, said looped body being formed integrally withsaid tongue and being rigidly connected to the lower portion of saidreinforcing bar. a

6. Fluid discharge apparatus for a washing machine oi the type having abody structure including a tub and a base for supporting said tub, and apump carried on the base for forcibly discharging fluid from the tub;said apparatus including a flexible hose adapted to be connected at oneend to the pump, the other end terminating in a preformed gooseneckhook, means adapt ed for detachably securing a portion of the hoseadjacent said hook to the exterior of the supporting base, and meansconnected to the portion of the hose intermediate said securing meansand said hook for reinforcing and supporting said hose portion inupright position in close proximity to the exterior of the bodystructure, said reinforcing means including a relatively rigid barhaving a portion formed to conform to the contour of at least a portionof said hook end of the hose, and means connected to the bar and formedto firmly embrace said hose portion at a plurality of longitudinallyspaced apart points, said detachable securing means including a bracketon said supporting base formed to pro- 1 vide a socket of polygonalcross-section, and a cooperating member formed'as a stamping, includinga hollow tongue of polygonal cross-section for seating in said socket,and a looped body surrounding said hose, said looped body being formedintegrally with said tongue and being rigidly connected to the lowerportion of said rein- ,forcing bar.

' external surface of the supporting structure, and

ANDREW H. GERHARDT.

